The City of Colorado Springs has recently completed a significant step toward sustainability with the completion of the WastelessCOS Waste Diversion Study and Action Plan. As reported by the City of Colorado Springs, the plan originated from community-driven initiatives aimed at reducing waste and expanding recycling for a greener future.
Equipped with data from the study, the city now has concrete strategies to support its residents today and ensure resource protection for generations yet to claim their time under the sun. With an eye on increasing Colorado Springs’ community-wide waste diversion rate to 37% by 2045, the plan sets benchmarks tailored for different sectors, including single-family, multi-family, and commercial establishments. However, achieving these ambitious yet necessary targets requires significantly more than just goodwill, mainly due to the complexities of material management.
Deputy City Manager Ryan Trujillo articulated the city's drive towards responsible resource management in a statement provided by the City of Colorado Springs: "The WastelessCOS action plan reflects extensive community input and a clear-eyed look at how our waste system works today and a roadmap to move forward. As Colorado Springs continues to grow, we have to be thoughtful about how we manage resources. This plan helps position the city for long-term sustainability by aligning infrastructure, education, and policy with our community’s expectations."
Backed by the Colorado Circular Communities (C3) program, Colorado Springs has seen the WastelessCOS initiative receive funding, with notable assistance from Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) for technical studies and planning. The thorough process involved waste characterization studies, infrastructure evaluation, local and state policy reviews, and a prognosis for future diversion scenarios. They derived recommended actions, drawing from surveys which are addressed in five strategy areas, including leveraging Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility program and areas concerning education, organics management, governance, and dealing specifically with construction and specialty waste.
